Edie Campbell speaks out about breaking into modelling

This week LUXE Models talk about Spring Vogue cover star Edie Campbell, her initial thoughts on modelling, and the difficulties she faced to become a renowned UK model.

Tough start

Many young models are left at the mercy of scam agencies and rip-off companies, and Campbell admitted that the negative perceptions made it difficult to warm to the idea of modelling initially.

“At first I was a bit embarrassed by modelling,” the 25-year-old told Vogue editor-at-large Fiona Golfar. “It just happened to me; it was not something I dreamt of, like riding, which I had been in love with since I was eight. I had to learn that it was so much more than just showing up and looking into a camera.”

Getting into modelling can be very difficult for young models, particularly at the start, and Edie was no different. She told i-d.vice.com: “It was quite soul destroying, you’d go to each casting and give yourself a pep talk saying ‘you’re going to nail this one, just charm them’. Then you go to the next one and give yourself the same pep talk.”

Established career

The hard work paid off and Campbell now represents VIVA Model Management, London, after breaking into modelling as a teenager in Vogue. She’s been incredibly successful of late, appearing in Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and many other fashion campaigns, and she was named Model of the Year at the prestigious British Fashion Awards in 2013.

The London-born model has even walked the catwalk in next-to-nothing after agreeing to an offer by Marc Jacobs after going for a few drinks. Telling Vogue about her ordeal, she explained: “I’d had quite a few mojitos by that point so I was just agreeing to anything… They said, ‘Perfect! Come to the studio tomorrow so we can fit your jewelled thong!'”

Aside from being a model, Campbell is also a keen journalist and is an accomplished jockey. And whilst being a professional model can be extremely rewarding and enjoyable, she says that even when you’re an established, successful model it’s not all plain sailing.

She said: “I often get lonely when I travel – I miss my friends from school and my real life. My oldest friends are who I want to hang out with when I’m not working.”